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Jordan mulling visas for Iraqis
3.9.2007
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September 3, 2007
AMMAN,-- Jordan said on Monday it is
considering imposing visas on Iraqis, as the kingdom
struggles to accommodate hundreds of thousands of
refugees from its violence-wracked neighbour.
Government spokesman Nasser Jawdeh said the aim of
the measure was to help facilitate their entry into
the country after complaints of "lengthy procedures"
at the border.
Jawdeh's comments came as Syria said it was imposing
three month visas on Iraqis from next week and that
only certain Iraqis would be allowed entry.
"We have agreed on the principle that the visa
option seems to be the option that makes most sense
and is acceptable to all parties, but we have not
yet finalised the procedures," Jawdeh told a weekly
press briefing.
He said Jordan, which hosts around 750,000 Iraqis
who fled the violence in their home country, has
been discussing with the Iraqi authorities "ways to
ensure there is an efficient system to organise the
entry of the Iraqis and make it much easier for
them."
"We have heared a lot of complaints that a lot of
Iraqis have (to go through) lengthy border
procedures," he added.
Jordan, which said hosting Iraqis is costing the
tiny desert kingdom around one billion dollars a
year, has tightened control of its land and air
borders with Iraq after deadly hotel attacks in 2005
carried out by Iraqi suicide bombers.
Iraq last month said it was going to set up a team
of experts to bolster cooperation in
counter-terrorism and enhance border security with
Jordan.
AFP
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